Apparatus and methods for batting practice and playing baseball

ABSTRACT

A modified ball and modified bat are provided in which the ball is approximately a half-sphere and the bat has a constant diameter that is significantly reduced from the diameter of the designated hitting area on a conventional bat. Instructions are provided detailing the pitching methods necessary to thrown standard pitches, i.e. the fastball, knuckleball, screwball, slider, curveball, sinkerball, splitfinger fastball, and rising fastball. The methods include grip positions, arm motions and release techniques for such pitches. Due to the in-flight characteristics of the modified ball, the standard pitches are easier to throw, allowing a larger number of individuals to assist as pitchers in batting practice, for batters that need to become familiar with the standard pitches and the arm motions associated with such pitches. The reduced diameter bat causes the practicing batter to be more precise in the swing in order to make contact with the ball. When the modified ball is substituted as the ball in an otherwise typical baseball game, the unusual bounces of the modified ball while in play add an element of fun and uncertainty to the game. The modified bat in such a baseball game also provides an entertaining change of pace.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to baseball and, morespecifically, to methods and apparatus for improving player battingaverages and playing the game with substitute apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] There are other ball type games, apparatus and methods designedfor practice, sport, or past time leisure. Typical of these is U.S. Pat.No. 3,994,497 issued to Cordingley on Nov. 30, 1976.

[0005] Another patent was issued to Newcomb et al. on Sep. 1, 1981 asU.S. Pat. No. 4,286,783. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,396 was issuedto Girard et al. on Jul. 11, 1985 and still yet another was issued onJul. 8, 1986 to Ventura et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,909.

[0006] Another patent was issued to Schanwald on Sep. 30, 1986 as U.S.Pat. No. 4,614,339. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,838 was issued toGroves on Feb. 12, 1991. Another was issued to Hope,II on Sep. 21, 1993as U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,228 and still yet another was issued on Jan. 28,1997 to Haygood et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,159.

[0007] Another patent was issued to Howland on Oct. 13, 1998 as U.S.Pat. No. 5,820,495. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,138 was issued toBarrett on Oct. 27, 1998. Another was issued to Cinnella on Nov. 16,1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,813.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,497 Inventor: Richard P. Cordingley Issued: Nov. 30,1976

[0008] A baseball-like game apparatus includes a playing surface markedto define a triangular area defining a pair of foul lines and adefensive base line. Indicia are located within the triangle to definethe placement location of case or other objects which can be knockedover in a general T-shaped configuration. The defensive team standsbehind the base line and pitches the ball to the batter who attempts tohit the ball with the bat to knock over the cans.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,783 Inventor: Nelson F. Newcomb et al. Issued: Sep.1, 1981

[0009] A practice baseball constructed to curve to a controllable degreewhen thrown in the manner that a conventional baseball is thrown as astraight ball. The practice baseball is in major part spherical, thebalance of the surface being a flat area resulting from the removal of asmall segment. The practice baseball has all of the normalcharacteristics of any conventional similarly manufactured baseball ofthe same diameter and weight. The practice baseball may be of anyselected weight and diameter between the limits recited hereinafter andmore specifically, it will be of the same weight and diameter as that ofany fully spherical baseball but of greater specific gravity resultingfrom the reduction in volume due to the removed segment. When hit with aconventional baseball bat, the practice baseball responds as to “crack□”sound and the distance traveled like a conventional fully sphericalbaseball. The weight of the practice ball is between 1¼ and 7 ounces andthe major diameter of its spherical part is between 2 and 4 inches.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,396 Inventor: Thomas L. Girard et al. Issued: Jun.11, 1985

[0010] A ball for use in an indoor or outdoor baseball-type gamed playedby a small number of players in a playing field of limited size. Theball is pitched by a defensive player to an offensive player who triesto strike the ball with an elongated bat. The ball weighs less than 2ounces and is made of a resilient, low mass material of generallyspherical configuration with an outside diameter of at least 2 inches,and having a plurality of interconnecting concave indentations thereon.The width of each of the indentations is at least ⅛ inch. The batcontains a longitudinal bore in the ball are such that when the end ofthe bat is pressed against the ball, the ball is forced into bore andretained therein until removed by a player.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,909 Inventor: Frank D. Ventura et al. Issued: Jul.8, 1986

[0011] A game ball is comprised of an outer layer of foamed polyurethaneplastic having a density of approximately 15 pounds per cubic foot, thelayer having an external integral skin having a density of 20-30 poundsper cubic foot providing a protective cover and an integral inner skinhaving a density of 20-30 pounds per cubic foot providing a cavity inwhich a core ball of resilient material is contained. The core ball hasa density of 70-76 pounds per cubic foot and a lesser degree ofcompressibility than the foamed layer of polyurethane plastic. The coreball is lubricated by carbon contained in the core ball when fabricatedfrom natural rubber and by means of a lubricating film when fabricatedfrom natural rubber and polyutadiene so that in either case the coreball is free to move or shift within the cavity when the baseball isimpacted by the bat.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,339 Inventor: Stephen M. Schanwald Issued: Sep. 30,1986

[0012] A batting practice baseball has a circumference and a diameter inthe range of from approximately 65% to approximately 90% of thecircumference and diameter of a regular or official league baseballsanctioned for use in league games by Rule 1.09 of the Official BaseballRules. Preferably, the circumference of the batting practice ball is inthe range of from 5.85 inches to 8.33 inches, and the outer diameter isin the range of 1.86 inches to 2.65 inches. The weight of the battingpractice baseball is the same as the weight of an official baseball; andthe resilience of the batting practice baseball should be the same as orequivalent to the resilience of an official baseball. This is achievedby constructing the batting practice baseball with materials and yarntension sufficient to provide a coefficient of restitution in the rangeof from approximately 51.4% to approximately 57.8%. Use of thecomparatively smaller batting practice baseball during batting practiceshould improve the batting skills of a player and make the task ofhitting the comparatively larger official baseball in a game situationmuch easier.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,838 Inventor: Keith N. Groves Issued: Feb. 12, 1991

[0013] A new type of baseball suited for use as a training aid,particularly for pitchers, catchers, and hitters comprising aconventional baseball having a colored lined marking on the cover, andpreferably a red colored stripe spiraling downward from the top of theball to the bottom.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,228 Inventor: Wayne A. Hope,II Issued: Sep. 21, 1993

[0014] An apparatus for playing and a method of playing the ball typegame called “Buntball” is disclosed. The game is characterized as beingsuitable for play by persons of differing skill, gender, or age and ofbeing safe to play indoors or outdoors. The apparatus comprises arectangular playing field without walls or ceiling, a homeplate in frontof the playing field, a bat, and ball. The playing field includes foursubareas, and is preferably sixteen feet wide and twenty-four feet deep.Homeplate is preferably twelve feet away from the playing field. The batand ball are preferably hollow and the ball is preferably perforatedwith small openings. The players are equally partitioned into two teams,each having at least one player. One team is positioned on the playingfield with the goal of catching balls bunted thereto by a batter on theother team. The members of the team not on the playing field, attempt,one at a time, to bunt balls pitched by a member of the team on to theplaying field without having it caught. If a ball is bunter onto theplaying field without being caught, the subarea where the ball landsdetermines the number of imaginary bases that are advanced by animaginary runner. Rules for playing Buntball are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,159 Inventor: James G. Haygood et al. Issued:January

[0015] A batting practice device which has a partially hollowed-outpractice ball suspended by a knotted rope, or a line having a flared-outend, from a handle. The batting practice device is used to swing apractice ball with a removable cap in front of batters to help themdevelop the eye-to-hand coordination needed to hit balls pitched to themduring a game. The batting practice device has a combination ofuniversal joints, elastic material, and springs located between thehandle and the practice ball to help absorb most of the energytransferred to the practice ball after it has been hit by a bat.Applications may include, but are not limited to, baseball, softball,wiffle ball and cricket. It is contemplated for the batting practicedevice to be used by inexperienced players, as well as college andprofessional players.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,495 Inventor: Kevin Michael Howland Issued: Oct. 13,1998

[0016] A training ball for use by a pitcher in practicing throwing acurve ball and a method for using the training ball as described. Thetraining ball has a first ball having approximately the size, weight,and surface of a regulation baseball, for being held and thrown by thepitcher, and a counter weight connected to the first ball at a fixeddistance and position, to provide a mass balancing the mass of the firstball at a balance point approximately at the surface of the spheredefined by the surface of the first ball. The first ball may be amodified regulation baseball. The counterweight may be a second ballapproximately identical in size and weight to the first ball. The methodfor using a training ball includes gripping and throwing the first ballas a curve ball, whereby the training ball will fly with 12-6 spintoward the pitcher's target if the training ball is properly thrown.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,138 Inventor: Ramsay M. Barrett Issued: Oct. 27,1998

[0017] A game played on either an indoor/outdoor court. The gameincludes a bat, a game ball and two sets of balls which are of differentcolors. The bat has a substantially round drive head with which to batballs. A game ball is hit up the court. Then one player hits their ballup the court and as close to the game ball as possible. The gamecontinues until all the balls are hit. Then the person or team withball(s) closest to the game ball scores a point for each ball that restscloser to the game ball than the closest ball of the opposite side orteam

U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,813 Inventor: Douglas W. Cinnella Issued: Nov. 16,1999

[0018] An instructional baseball for teaching the proper manner ofthrowing a curve ball. The instructional baseball comprises a generallyspherical ball having a continuous seam on the surface, said seamdefining a horseshoe-shaped boundary for each of four area on thesurface of the ball, and a depression within each of the areas, each ofthe depressions having substantially the same volume.

[0019] There are numerous apparatus and methods for ball type games andbaseball type games that provide recreation, sports and battingpractice. While such apparatus and methods may be suitable for thepurposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable forthe purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

[0020] It is thus desirable to provide methods and apparatus for a balltype game/baseball type game that provides recreation and battingpractice. It is further desirable to provide methods and apparatus thatimprove the batting average of the players as such methods and apparatusare used more frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0021] A primary object of the present invention is to provide methodsand apparatus that will improve the hitting proficiency of the playersat bat.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide methods andapparatus that are recreational and fun to play.

[0023] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide methodsand apparatus that may increase the hand-to-eye coordination of theplayer at bat.

[0024] Still yet another object of the present invention is to providemethods and apparatus that may be adapted for diverse ball type gametraining camps, in order for them to increase the overall effectivenessand efficiency of there players.

[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide methodsand apparatus that may be incorporated by professional ball type gameteams, in the hopes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency oftheir team.

[0026] Additional objects of the present invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

[0027] The apparatus provided is a modified ball and a modified bat. Themodified ball is approximately one-half of a conventional rubber ball.The modified ball when thrown will react in a predictable mannerdepending on how the modified ball is held and thrown. As the modifiedball travels towards the batter, the airflow acting upon the curved andplanar surface of the ball tends to exaggerate the ball's motion whencompared to that of a typical ball, thereby making it easier to throwvarious standard pitches, such as a curveball.

[0028] The modified ball along with the instructions on pitchingdescribed in the present invention provides a pitcher not proficient inthe pitches of conventional baseball with the means to more easilydeliver various types of pitches to the batter.

[0029] A pitcher using the modified ball pitches to a batter whoattempts to hit the ball with a bat. The pitcher, using the modifiedball, selectively varies the type of pitch, such as, curveball,fastball, screwball, knuckleball, slider, sinkerball, rising fastballand a splitfinger fastball according to the method as disclosed by thepresent invention.

[0030] The present invention provides a series of instructions that areused by the pitcher to delivery a particular type of pitch. Theseinstructions when executed correctly will project the modified ballalong a specific trajectory, producing one of the aforementionedstandard pitches. This provides the batter with a more realistic andvaried practice.

[0031] An additional aid is a modified bat. The batter, using themodified bat, attempts to anticipate the type of pitch by observing thepitcher's body movements. The batter will learn the art of observationthrough practice. The bat used in this training method differs from aregulation bat by being substantially smaller in diameter throughout itslength, very much like a broom handle. The bat requires a greater degreeof accuracy on the part of the batter to hit the ball.

[0032] The role of the pitcher and batter may be rotated as seem fit bythe individuals participating in the batting practice game.

[0033] Due to the distinctively different motion of the modified ballwhen compared to a typical baseball or softball, all forms of the gameof baseball can be played utilizing the modified ball.

[0034] A baseball batting practice method is provided, comprising:selecting a spherical unit from which a segment has been removed toleave a unit comprised of an exterior spherical portion and a flat area,the removed segment being sized such that a perpendicular line from thecenter of the flat area to the opposite side of the remaining sphericalportion is equal to or between forty-five and fifty-five percent of theoriginal spherical unit diameter; gripping the unit in a manner toenable one of several standard pitches; initiating the throwing motion;moving the arm in a manner to enable the chosen standard pitch; andreleasing the unit at a time and in a manner to enable the chosen pitchand to direct the unit to a target area in proximity to a human batter,to enable the human batter to attempt to identify standard pitches andhit the unit with a bat and thereby improve the human batter's battingskills.

[0035] In another embodiment of the batting practice method, the removedsegment is one-half of the original spherical unit.

[0036] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the bat is atypical baseball bat.

[0037] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the bat is athinner than a typical baseball bat.

[0038] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the bat has asubstantially constant diameter, the diameter being smaller than atypical baseball bat in the designated hitting portion of the typicalbaseball bat.

[0039] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the standardpitches comprise a fastball, knuckleball, screwball, slider, curveball,sinkerball, splitfinger fastball, and rising fastball.

[0040] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the fastball, the unit is gripped vertically andreleased straight overhand.

[0041] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the knuckleball, the unit is gripped by placing theflat area of the unit in the palm of the throwing hand and thrown andreleased straight overhand.

[0042] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the screwball, the unit is gripped vertically, thrownunderhand, and released while twisting the hand to the right (for righthand throwers) or to the left (for left hand throwers).

[0043] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the slider, the unit is gripped vertically and thrownand released at the three-quarter side arm position.

[0044] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the curveball, the unit is gripped vertically andthrown and released at the one-half side arm position.

[0045] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the sinkerball, the unit is gripped with the flat areaup and thrown and released at the one-half side arm position.

[0046] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the splitfinger fastball, the unit is gripped with theflat area up and thrown and released at the three-quarter side armposition.

[0047] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the chosenstandard pitch is the rising fastball, the unit is gripped with the flatarea down, thrown one-half side arm, and released while slightly tiltingthe unit forward.

[0048] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the unit isconstructed from rubber.

[0049] In an embodiment of the batting practice method, the methodfurther comprises providing an instructional table describing the grips,arm movements and release methods for the various standard pitches, forpitcher enablement, and for the batter to learn to identify the standardpitches associated with arm movements, to enable the batter to improveby recognizing the arm movement while batting and anticipating thestandard pitch associated with the identified arm movement.

[0050] In an embodiment of the foregoing the instructional tableincludes illustrations of arm positions.

[0051] In an embodiment of the foregoing the instructional tableincludes illustrations of ball gripping positions.

[0052] A substitute game apparatus for playing baseball is provided,comprising a modified ball, the ball comprising a spherical unit fromwhich a segment has been removed to leave a unit comprised of anexterior spherical portion and a flat area, the removed segment beingsized such that a perpendicular line from the center of the flat area tothe opposite side of the remaining spherical portion is equal to orbetween forty-five and fifty-five percent of the original spherical unitdiameter.

[0053] In an embodiment of the foregoing, the apparatus furthercomprises a modified bat, the bat having a substantially constantdiameter, the diameter being smaller than a typical baseball bat in thedesignated hitting portion of the typical baseball bat.

[0054] A method for playing baseball is provided, comprising:substituting, for the ball, a modified ball, the modified ballcomprising a spherical unit from which a segment has been removed toleave a unit comprised of an exterior spherical portion and a flat area,the removed segment being sized such that a perpendicular line from thecenter of the flat area to the opposite side of the remaining sphericalportion is equal to or between forty-five and fifty-five percent of theoriginal spherical unit diameter; and playing the game using themodified ball.

[0055] In an embodiment of the foregoing method, the method furthercomprises substituting, for the bat, a modified bat, the modified bathaving a constant diameter and playing the game using the modified bat.

[0056] A modified ball is provided for a game in which a player attemptsto strike the ball with a hitting device, the ball comprising aspherical unit from which a segment has been removed to leave a unitcomprised of an exterior spherical portion and a flat area, the removedsegment being sized such that a perpendicular line from the center ofthe flat area to the opposite side of the remaining spherical portion isequal to or between forty-five and fifty-five percent of the originalspherical unit diameter.

[0057] The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear fromthe description to follow. In the description reference is made to theaccompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

[0058] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be takenin a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is bestdefined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0059] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it willnow be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawing in which:

[0060]FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.

[0061]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the modified ball of the presentinvention.

[0062]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the modified bat of the presentinvention.

[0063]FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a batter using the modified batof the present invention.

[0064]FIG. 5 is a chart showing the methods employed by the presentinvention for pitching the standard pitches using the modified ball.

[0065]FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of a pitcher using the method ofpitching the ball as described in the accompanying chart.

[0066]FIG. 7 is a side view of a spherical unit with line d depictingthe diameter of the unit.

[0067]FIG. 8 is a side view of the spherical unit of FIG. 7 with asegment removed leaving the flat area shown, with line d′ beingperpendicular to the flat area, line d′ otherwise corresponding to theline d of FIG. 7.

[0068]FIG. 9 is a side view of the spherical unit of FIG. 7 with asegment removed leaving the flat area shown, with line d″ beingperpendicular to the flat area, line d″ otherwise corresponding to theline d of FIG. 7.

[0069]FIG. 10 is a side view of the spherical unit of FIG. 7 with asegment removed leaving the flat area shown, with line d′″ beingperpendicular to the flat area, line d′″ otherwise corresponding to theline d of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

[0070] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similarreference characters denote similar elements throughout the severalviews, the figures illustrate the Apparatus and Methods for BattingPractice And Playing Baseball of the present invention. With regard tothe reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughoutthe various drawing figures.

[0071]10 modified ball of the present invention

[0072]12 modified bat of the present invention

[0073]14 batter

[0074]16 pitcher

[0075]20 spherical unit portion

[0076]22 flat area

[0077]24 bat shaft

[0078]26 instruction materials

[0079]28 one-half side arm motion

[0080]30 overhand arm motion

[0081]32 underhand arm motion

[0082]34 three-quarter arm motion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0083] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similarreference characters denote similar elements throughout the severalviews, FIGS. 1-10 illustrate the Apparatus and Methods for BattingPractice And Playing Baseball of the present invention indicatedgenerally by the numerals 10 and 12.

[0084] The apparatus of the present invention 10,12 are shown generallyin FIGS. 1-8, and in use in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6.

[0085] The apparatus includes a modified ball 10 and a modified bat 12,for use by a batter 14 and pitcher 16.

[0086] The ball 10 is formed from a spherical unit 20 with a segmentremoved leaving a flat area 22. The original spherical unit in thepreferred embodiment has a diameter substantially equal to a typicalbaseball. Such diameter is represented by line d on FIG. 7. Followingthe removal of the segment, a perpendicular line from the center of theflat area 22 will be shorter than line d. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, linesd′, d″, and d′″ represent the lengths of such a perpendicular line wherethe length of line d′ is 45 percent of line d, the length of line d″ is50 percent of line d, and the length of d′″ is 55 percent of line d,respectively. The embodiments of FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, represent the endsof the optimal range with respect to the size of the remaining sphericalportion 20. FIG. 9 represents the 50 percent configuration of thepreferred embodiment. The modified ball 10 in the preferred embodimentis made of rubber.

[0087] The modified bat 12 is depicted in FIG. 3. The modified bat 12has a wood shaft 24 with a constant shaft diameter that is substantiallysmaller than the hitting portion of a typical adult baseball bat. In thepreferred embodiment, the diameter is approximately 0.75 inches. Alength of approximately 38 to 40 inches is chosen for the preferredembodiment.

[0088] The half-ball, or near half-ball, configuration adds a newdimension to the game of baseball, due to its exaggerated movementsrelative to the typical baseball. Using the throwing techniques shown inFIG. 5 enables the pitcher 16 to achieve standard pitches much moreeasily than with a typical baseball, making each batter appearance atthe plate, more interesting, especially in younger age competition,where the variety of pitches enabled, are not usually achievable. Thestandard pitches include the fastball, knuckleball, screwball, slider,curveball, sinkerball, splitfinger fastball, and rising fastball.

[0089] Furthermore, the modified ball's 10 response to contact with theground, fences and the bat will be erratic, thus adding an increasedelement of unpredicability to the game. Playing under Official BaseballRules and other sanctioning authorities' rules, with the modified balland/or the modified bat is an aspect of my invention that providessignificant entertainment and challenge.

[0090] In addition, the modified bat 12 provides an additional challengeto the batter 14, since his or her swing must be more accurate than whenusing a typical baseball bat.

[0091] Because the modified ball 10 enables pitchers 16 of lesser skillto throw the standard pitches, the modified ball 10 is particularlyuseful in batting practice. The batter in training needs to gain anunderstanding of how the various pitches appear as they leave thepitcher 16. Without a highly developed pitcher to throw such pitcheswith a typical baseball, the batter 14 will usually see such pitchesonly in the actual game, or by sharing such pitchers during practicewith numerous other players. Since pitchers of lesser skill can throwthe standard pitches with the modified ball 10, a larger number ofpractice pitchers becomes available, such that more batters get topractice against such pitchers more often.

[0092] Since the arm movements 28, 30, 32, 34 utilized for throwing thestandard pitches with the modified ball 10 are similar to the armmovements for corresponding pitches using a conventional baseball, thebatter 14 can also enhance his or her skills by developing an ability toconcentrate on the pitcher's 16 arm motion 28, 30, 32, 34. By doing so,the batter 14 can ascertain the type of pitch before the ball leaves thepitcher's 16 hand. This skill is best developed through repetitivepractice with a mix of the standard pitches being thrown. As indicatedabove, the modified ball 10 allows more pitchers to be able toparticipate in this exercise, to the benefit of the entire team.

[0093] Batting practice is also enhanced by the provision of themodified bat 12. Due to its smaller diameter the modified bat 12 makesthe batter to use a more accurate swing in order to make contact.

[0094]FIG. 5 includes the content of instructional material 26 thataccompanies the modified ball 10 and modified bat 12. Such material 26,can be used by the novice pitcher 16 to more quickly learn to takeadvantage of the enhanced throw properties of the modified ball 10. Thetechniques for each standard pitch are described in terms of grip, armmotion and release. The illustration of FIG. 6, or a similar one, can beincluded in such materials 26 to add a visual aspect to the trainingprogram. Similarly, the batter 14 uses the materials 26 to begin thememorization process as to the particular arm motions associated with aparticular standard pitch.

[0095]FIG. 5 describes the pitching methods for using the modified ball10 in batting practice or a game of baseball. FIG. 6 depicts the armpositions and some of the ball grip techniques referenced in FIG. 5. Forexample, FIG. 5 indicates that, to throw a curveball, the pitcher 16would grip the modified ball 10 (“halfball” in FIG. 5) vertically, andrelease it during a one-half side arm motion. When the disclosed methodis used, the modified ball 10 will travel in a curveball path. Arm 28 isin the one-half side arm motion, as depicted in FIG. 6.

[0096] For a fastball, the pitcher 16 grips the modified ball 10vertically, and releases it during a straight overhand arm motion. Whenthe disclosed method is used, the modified ball 10 will travel in afastball path. Arm 30 is in the straight overhand arm motion, asdepicted in FIG. 6.

[0097] For a knuckleball, the pitcher 16 grips the modified ball 10 withthe flat area (“cut side” in FIG. 5) in the palm of the hand, andreleases it during a straight overhand arm motion. When the disclosedmethod is used, the modified ball 10 will travel in a knuckleball path.Arm 30 is in the straight overhand arm motion, as depicted in FIG. 6.

[0098] For a screwball, the pitcher 16 grips the modified ball 10vertically and releases it during an underhand arm motion, twisting thethrowing hand to the right upon release. When the disclosed method isused, the modified ball 10 will travel in a screwball path. Arm 32 is inthe underhand arm motion, as depicted in FIG. 6. A left handed pitcherwill twist his or her hand to the left as the ball is released.

[0099] For a slider, the pitcher 16 grips the modified ball 10vertically and releases it during a three-quarter side arm motion. Whenthe disclosed method is used, the modified ball 10 will travel in aslider path. Arm 34 is in the three-quarter side arm motion, as depictedin FIG. 6.

[0100] For a sinkerball, the pitcher 16 grips the modified ball 10 withthe cut side up, and releases it during a one-half side arm motion. Whenthe disclosed method is used, the modified ball 10 will travel in asinkerball path. Arm 28 is in the one-half side arm motion, as depictedin FIG. 6.

[0101] For a splitfinger fastball, the pitcher 16 grips the modifiedball 10 with the cut side up, and releases it during a three-quarterside arm motion. When the disclosed method is used, the modified ball 10will travel in a splitfinger fastball path. Arm 34 is in thethree-quarter side arm motion, as depicted in FIG. 6.

[0102] For a rising fastball, the pitcher 16 grips the modified ball 10with the cut side down, and releases it during a one-half side armmotion, slightly tilting the modified ball forward upon release. Whenthe disclosed method is used, the modified ball 10 will travel in arising fastball path. Arm 28 is in the one-half side arm motion, asdepicted in FIG. 6.

[0103] Although particular bat sizes and materials for the ball and bathave been discussed, other sizes and materials are also possible, suchas correspondingly smaller diameter and length bats for smaller players,bats made from aluminum and other composites from which bats aretypically constructed, and modified balls made from plastics and othermaterials from which baseballs are typically constructed, all inaccordance with the present invention, and as determined by the intendedend use for the overall device 10 and 12, as will occur to those ofskill in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

[0104] It will be understood that each of the elements described above,or two or more together may also find a useful application in otherapplications differing from that described above.

[0105] While certain novel features of this invention have been shownand described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is notintended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understoodthat various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in theforms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from thespirit of the present invention.

[0106] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal thegist of the present invention that others can, by applying currentknowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omittingfeatures that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constituteessential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of thisinvention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A baseball batting practice method,comprising: selecting a spherical unit from which a segment has beenremoved to leave a unit comprised of an exterior spherical portion and aflat area, the removed segment being sized such that a perpendicularline from the center of the flat area to the opposite side of theremaining spherical portion is equal to or between forty-five andfifty-five percent of the original spherical unit diameter; gripping theunit in a manner to enable one of several standard pitches; initiatingthe throwing motion; moving the arm in a manner to enable the chosenstandard pitch; and releasing the unit at a time and in a manner toenable the chosen pitch and to direct the unit to a target area inproximity to a human batter, to enable the human batter to attempt toidentify standard pitches and hit the unit with a bat and therebyimprove the human batter's batting skills.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the removed segment is one-half of the original spherical unit.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the bat is a typical baseball bat. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the bat is a thinner than a typicalbaseball bat.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the bat has asubstantially constant diameter, the diameter being smaller than atypical baseball bat in the designated hitting portion of the typicalbaseball bat.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the standard pitchescomprise a fastball, knuckleball, screwball, slider, curveball,sinkerball, splitfinger fastball, and rising fastball.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the chosen standard pitch is the fastball, the unit isgripped vertically and released straight overhand.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the chosen standard pitch is the knuckleball, the unitis gripped by placing the flat area of the unit in the palm of thethrowing hand and thrown and released straight overhand.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the chosen standard pitch is the screwball, the unitis gripped vertically, thrown underhand, and released while twisting thehand to the right (for right hand throwers) or to the left (for lefthand throwers).
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chosen standardpitch is the slider, the unit is gripped vertically and thrown andreleased at the three-quarter side arm position.
 11. The method of claim1, wherein the chosen standard pitch is the curveball, the unit isgripped vertically and thrown and released at the one-half side armposition.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the chosen standard pitchis the sinkerball, the unit is gripped with the flat area up and thrownand released at the one-half side arm position.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein the chosen standard pitch is the splitfinger fastball, theunit is gripped the flat area up and thrown and released at thethree-quarter side arm position.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein thechosen standard pitch is the rising fastball, the unit is gripped withthe flat area down, thrown one-half side arm, and released whileslightly tilting the unit forward.
 15. The method of claim 1, whereinthe unit is constructed from rubber.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising providing an instructional table describing the grips, armmovements and release methods for the various standard pitches, forpitcher enablement, and for the batter to learn to identify the standardpitches associated with arm movements, to enable the batter to improveby recognizing the arm movement while batting and anticipating thestandard pitch associated with the identified arm movement.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the instructional table includesillustrations of arm positions.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein theinstructional table includes illustrations of ball gripping positions.19. Substitute game apparatus for playing baseball, comprising amodified ball, the ball comprising a spherical unit from which a segmenthas been removed to leave a unit comprised of an exterior sphericalportion and a flat area, the removed segment being sized such that aperpendicular line from the center of the flat area to the opposite sideof the remaining spherical portion is equal to or between forty-five andfifty-five percent of the original spherical unit diameter.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19, further comprising a modified bat, the bat havinga substantially constant diameter, the diameter being smaller than atypical baseball bat in the designated hitting portion of the typicalbaseball bat.
 21. A method for playing baseball comprising:substituting, for the ball, a modified ball, the modified ballcomprising a spherical unit from which a segment has been removed toleave a unit comprised of an exterior spherical portion and a flat area,the removed segment being sized such that a perpendicular line from thecenter of the flat area to the opposite side of the remaining sphericalportion is equal to or between forty-five and fifty-five percent of theoriginal spherical unit diameter; and playing the game using themodified ball.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprisingsubstituting, for the bat, a modified bat, the modified bat having aconstant diameter and playing the game using the modified bat.
 23. Amodified ball for a game in which a player attempts to stike the ballwith a hitting device, the ball comprising a spherical unit from which asegment has been removed to leave a unit comprised of an exteriorspherical portion and a flat area, the removed segment being sized suchthat a perpendicular line from the center of the flat area to theopposite side of the remaining spherical portion is equal to or betweenforty-five and fifty-five percent of the original spherical unitdiameter.